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    Despite the pain my face was feeling, it couldn’t compare to the torturous pain in my heart. Her words struck me like a knife and I could only feel regret as I watched her run away.





    “I’m sorry,” you apologized. “I got distracted and I wasn’t watching where I was walking.”

    “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” the other girl apologized non-stop.

    You stared at her for a moment, wondering why she was the one apologizing profusely when you were the one who bumped into her. You turned your attention to the boxes scattered on the floor. “Were you trying to carry all of these in a single go?”

    “Uh, yeah,” the other girl said, finally calming down.

    “There’s nothing breakable in them, are there?” you asked in a panic, starting to worry about what you were going to do if you had broken something from the collision.

    “D-don’t worry,” she said, as she picked up one box. “There’s nothing breakable inside.”

    You sighed in relief and then moved to carry the other box. “At least let me help you carry them,” you offered. “I’m (L/n) (F/n) by the way. I just transferred here today. I’m a first year.”

    “Ah, I’m a first year too,” she said excitedly. “My name’s Yachi Hitoka. Nice to meet you.”

    You and Yachi continued to talk while she led you to where she was originally headed to.

    “If memory serves me right, this is the second gymnasium,” you said.

    Yachi nodded with a smile. “This is also where the boys’ volleyball club has their practices.”

    “Volleyball, huh?” you said dreamily. “My great grandfather, grandfather, and my father played volleyball as well. I guess the sport follows me wherever I go.”

    “Don’t you play volleyball?” Yachi asked.

    “Well, I do play it but I enjoy playing dodgeball more.”

    Yachi opened the door to the gym with her free hand. "Well, here we are. You may find some of the guys to be scary and rather wild at first but they're actually good guys.”

    "Scary, huh? That kind of reminds me of a classmate of mine back in middle school. He always makes weird expressions to intimidate others."

    The other girl laughed. “We have someone like that too, but he’s a second year.”

    Yachi led you to a corner of the court where you put down the boxes. You stretched your arms a bit.

    "Thanks for the help (L/n)-san," Yachi said. "If you want, you can stay and watch the practices next time. You can't watch them now because they're already finishing up but you'd be amazed at what they can do."

    "Sure. Sounds interesti—."

    There were a few incomplete shouts of warning from the court. Before you knew it, your body moved on its own and you put your hands up to catch a spiked ball. You didn't do it in the best pose you could do and you almost lost your balance. You shift the volleyball ball to the right hand as you shook your stinging left hand. "That hurt," you thought. "I thought my hand would be ripped off."

     “(L/n)-san!” Yachi panicked. “Are you alright? Should we go to the clinic? No, maybe the hospital?”

    “I’m fine,” you said, still shaking your left hand.

    “Yachi-san” a guy with silver hair said, jogging over to where the two of you were.

    “Who’s that?” you softly asked Yachi.

    “He’s Sugawara-senpai. He’s a third year and the vice-captain of the team,” she replied.

    “Are you guys alright?” the silver-haired senpai asked.

    “We’re alright,” you and Yachi answered.

    He sighed in relief. “That’s good to hear.”

    “Ah! It’s you!” came a shout from someone from the court. Everyone’s heads turned to the source. “You’re ‘dodgey’ girl, aren’t—GWACK!”

    Your body had reacted on its own and you had only realized a second later that you had thrown the ball at a person you didn’t even know. Eyes widened as they had watched the ball perfectly come into contact with the face.

    “Oi! What was that about, (F/n)?” the injured person shouted at you as he felt his face.

    “I’m so sorry,” you shouted back while you bowed. The next moment, you realized something and you looked up. “How—did you know my name?”

    “Don’t tell me you forgot me already after only a year. It’s me, Tanaka.”

    You stared. “Ryuu? That really you?”

    “Is there any other awesome Tanaka Ryuunosuke in the world?”

    You walked up to him and stopped a few inches from him.

    One second.

    Two seconds.

    Three seconds.

    You covered your mouth. "Pfft—bwahahahahahahahahahaha. R-ryuu? Wh-what happened to your hair? How did you get bald all of the sudden?"

    "O-oi! I'm not bald!"

    "Yeah, yeah, whatever," you said, finishing your laugh and holding up a hand for him. He took it and you helped him up.

    Suddenly, another guy, who was shorter than Tanaka, jumped him. "Hey, Ryu," he said. "Don't keep me hanging! Who's this girl with a strong hit?"

    "I'm (L/n) (F/n)," you introduced yourself. "I just transferred today."

    "She was my classmate back in middle school," Tanaka added.

    "You're a fellow second year then?" Maybe you were imagining it, but the short guy had some kind of sparkles in his eyes.

    "Okay, enough of that," an adult, who by the looks of it looked like the coach, said. "Let's finish up and head home."

    "Osu!"

    Everyone continued to do their parts in their cleaning while you went back to your classroom to retrieve your things.



    *----------------------------*---------------------------*-----------------------------------*



    "So (L/n)-san," Sugawara said. "Tanaka said that you were classmates in middle school?"

    "Yup, that's right," you answered.

    Right now, you were heading home together with the volleyball club. You had come to know their names as you descended the hill. They had stopped at a store to which they treated you, Yachi, and another manager (who you know as Shimizu) to meat buns.

    "But (L/n)-san," Yachi cut in. "Didn't you say that you're a first year?"

    "Ah, I did say that, didn't I? Well, I wasn't lying though."

    "(F/n) had to repeat her last year of middle school," Tanaka said, taking a bite of his meat bun.

    "I lacked attendance," you specified.

    "So you skipped a lot of classes, huh?" Tsukishima said with a smirk. "Looks like someone hasn't been a good girl."

    Behind the tall guy was another guy who snickered.

    Despite how irritating they were, you chose to ignore them.

    "But they really should have just let you graduate back then. It's not like you had failing grades," Tanaka said.

    "It couldn't be helped. Besides, it's done and over. Nothing we can do about it now."

    "You just transferred today right?" Sawamura asked. "Why only now?"

    "After graduating from middle school, I took the entrance exam in a school in Tokyo because my parents were transferred to work there. I kind of have poor health and my body couldn't adjust to the city life though so we opted for me to live with my grandparents."

    "Then why Karasuno?" Kageyama asked. "I'm sure there are better schools in the prefecture."

    "Hey," Tanaka and Nishinoya said at the same time. "Are you trying to say Karasuno's not good enough?"

    Kageyama flinched. "What I meant to say was, why not the other schools? There's Datekyougo, Seijo, and Shiratorizawa to name a few."

    "Shiratorizawa? She doesn't look like the smart type who'd study," Tsukishima commented. Again, his companion snickered.

    Although you got even more irritated, you still decided to ignore them.

    "Datekyougo's kind of far from where my grandparents live. As for Seijo," you paused as the face of Oikawa Tooru appeared before your eyes. You slapped it away. "There's someone I'd rather avoid there. As for Shiratorizawa, well, I don't think I'd be able to handle the pressure there. They seem like a pretty hard-core school."

    "And she has admitted defeat," Tsukishima said in the sideline.

    "Besides," you added. "I've always dreamed of studying in Karasuno."

    "Have you decided on what club to join then?" Yachi asked.

    "Oh, I won't be able to join any club. I'll be helping my grandparents out with their business."

    "I'm surprised they have a business at their age," Tsukishima said.

    Now that was the last straw. You turned on your heels and pointed at the tall blonde. "Hey, you!"

    "Oh, took her long enough. I thought she went deaf."

    You tried to ignore it. "What class are you in?"

    "You really should get to know your classmates more," he said.

    Classmates? Oh. "So you two are the ones I shouldn't know," you said. "So much for my classmates' warnings."

    "What does that mean?" Yamaguchi said.

    "You guys have been getting on my nerves making such snide comments and snickering since a while ago. What did you guys even mean by what you just said?"

    While you were arguing with Tsukishima, the other team members gathered around Tanaka. "Aren't you going to stop them?" They asked.

    "Why should I? It's rather interesting," he smiled. "Besides, (F/n) can handle him."

    "I meant what I meant," Tsukishima continued with that smug face of his.

    "Hmmm," you hummed. It was like he was challenging you. Fine then. Two can play at this game. "You know what, you don't strike me as the smart type of guy either so I don't think you're worth my time."

    This time his expression changed into a serious one. "What was that?"

    "Are you trying to say that Tsukki's an idiot?" Yamaguchi said.

    "Shut up Yamaguchi."

    "Sorry, Tsukki."

    "'Tsukki', huh?" You said, crossing your arms in front of you. "Since you seem so bent for a challenge, how about a bet? Let's see who has the highest average score at the next exams. Whoever loses will treat everyone here for dinner."

    ". . ."

    "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or are you scared that you're too stupid to win? I guess it’s impossible, huh?"

    That comment got him to scowl.

    "Oi, Tsukishima, I wouldn't accept if I were you," Tanaka half-shouted to the tall guy.

    "I accept," Tsukishima said. Somehow he was able to manage a smirk. "But it's only a few weeks until the exams. How do you plan on catching up with the lessons?"

    "Think of it as my handicap," you said. "Oh, and since we just met, I can be kind and go easy on you if you want."

    His former scowl returned. "Huh?"

    "Well, good luck to you." With that, you walked away, knowing that he'll pay for badmouthing your grandparents.

    Tanaka patted Tsukishima saying, "Good luck. I'm looking forward to the treat."

    "Me too," Hinata exclaimed with a jump, eventually earning him a glare from the taller middle blocker.



    *----------------------------*---------------------------*-----------------------------------*



    "Thank you for the food!" Everyone said as they started picking at the various foods on the table. "Thanks for the treat, Tsukishima!"

    "Tch."

    "Now, now," you said to him. "Don't be grumpy and at least enjoy the food. It'd be a waste that you don't get to eat anything when you're paying."

    "But I was surprised when the results came out," Yachi said. "You got a place among the top 15."

    "I still doubt that she did it fair and square," Tsukishima murmured.

    "I thought you'd say that," you said, rummaging through your things and bringing out a small newspaper. You opened it up to a page and shoved it toward him, pointing to a part of the page.

    He picked it up and the second and first years gathered around him. Their eyes scan the page and are met with shock.

    "Y-you're among the top 20 of the Shiratorizawa entrance exam passers?" Tanaka half-shouted.

    You flashed them a peace sign. "I may not look like it, but studying comes easy for me."

    "I knew you were hard working but I didn't think you'd be this smart."

    "Now that just sounds condescending."

    "I'm surprised though," Azumane said. "You actually have a strong and forward side."

    "I'll be like that if need be," you told him. "If people challenge me, they better prepare."

    "To get their wallets empty, that is," Tsukishima said.

    "I did warn you," Tanaka said.

    "Yeah, you should learn from him. His wallet was emptied for how many weeks."

    "I wouldn't be surprised," the three third years said.

    The others laughed.



    *----------------------------*---------------------------*-----------------------------------*



    "So, tell me again why we can't use the gym for the school break?" Coach Ukai asked.

    Everybody had gathered around to hear the announcement and to discuss what to do next.

    "Because someone blew the wig off of the vice-principal's head," Takeda-sensei said. "It was somehow a prank that someone did and as a result, the vice-principal banned all club activities for the school break."

    The coach sighed. "Where the heck are we supposed to practice if we can't use the gym? We even have a practice match with Nekoma scheduled at the end of next week. You guys know of any places we could practice?"

    "How about where the Karasuno Neighborhood Association practices?" Sawamura asked.

    "It's currently being used right now."

    "May I make a suggestion?" Tanaka said, raising his hand.

    The others looked at him curiously. After listening to what he said, they gave looks of approval. After a few more inquiries here and there, everything was back in order.

    "Okay, guys, pack your bags tonight. We're heading there tomorrow. Don't be late."

    "Osu!"



    *----------------------------*---------------------------*-----------------------------------*



    Your grandparents had informed you that a group of visitors were coming so when the doorbell rang the next day and you opened the door to welcome them, you just froze. Your grandparents also came to the door to greet them.

    "Greetings!"

    "Thank you for having us!" Your visitors gave a bow.

    "You're welcome anytime," your grandfather said.

    "Oh, is that Ryuu-kun I see?" Your grandmother asked.

    Tanaka moved forward and gave a bow. There was a big smile on his face. One you've missed. "It's nice to see you again Mr. and Mrs. (L/n)."

    "So you've grown taller, Ryuunosuke. Are you and (F/n) still getting along well?"

    "We're getting along splendidly," you said, snapping out of the initial shock.

    "Is that so?" Your grandfather said. "I still remember the time when he came here and—."

    "Ah, (L-L/n)-san," Tanaka immediately intervened.

    "What?" You asked your grandfather, willing him to continue. "He came here and did what?"

    Your grandfather looked from you to Tanaka and back to you. Tanaka was smiling nervously, rubbing the back of his neck, while you were plain confused.

    "I see, I see," your grandfather said, strongly patting Tanaka at the back. "Take your time. Take your time. There's no need to rush."

    You looked at your grandmother who just smiled sweetly. You sighed. "Anyway, I'll show you to your room."

    You waited until they removed their shoes and got into slippers before you showed them to the second floor. Takeda-sensei and Coach Ukai talked to your grandparents in the meantime.

    "I didn't know your family ran a lodging business," Yachi said.

    "It's not that famous but it's not unpopular either so we get patrons on a regular basis," you explained as you opened a door on the end of the hallway. The boys then proceeded to enter and place their stuff inside. "But on vacations like this, we usually get more visitors. That's why, I'd appreciate it if you guys don't make such a ruckus during your stay here."

    "Don't worry (L/n)-san," Sawamura said. "I'll make sure of that."

    "Thanks. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to ask. Shimizu-senpai and Yachi-san, are you guys also going to stay for the week?"

    "I'll be going home," Shimizu answered. "But Yachi said that she'll be staying over."

    You smiled. "If that's the case then you can sleep in my room."

    "Really? That's great!" She said.

    "Okay guys, let's get ready and head back downstairs," Sawamura said.

    "Osu!"

    While they did that, you showed Yachi to your room, where she also changed clothes. Your grandfather then handed you the keys to the indoor court that was built by your great grandfather. When everyone was assembled at the lobby, you showed them the way. The building was at the very back of the inn and was distanced so that whoever used the court wouldn’t disturb the other visitors. When you reached the court, you hurriedly unlocked the doors.

    "You'll have to do a few cleaning up first though but we keep this place polished. The tools are in the storage room. If you need anything else just ask."

    You excused yourself as they immediately went to work. At noon, you brought them lunch at the gym, seeing as they didn't have much time for it. Shimizu, Yachi, and even Takeda-sensei helped you bring the lunch and the drinks over.

    "Why don't you join us?" Sugawara offered as they started eating.

    "I'll eat later, I still have work to do," you said, leaving them to their lunch and hurrying back to the inn.

    "Doesn't her job allow her to eat lunch?"

    "It does but she'll have to wait until her shift ends," Tanaka said, food in his mouth.

    "You seem to know so much about her, Tanaka."

    "We spent three years of middle school together. I think it's natural."

    "Natural enough for you to know her family owns an inn?" Sawamura asked.

    "And owns a court with a stack of volleyball balls?" Sugawara added.

    "Her great grandfather was a volleyball coach back when he was still alive so I think it's quite normal. Besides, her grandfather and father are both volleyball players."

    "Sure, but—how did you know they owned a court?"

    "Dodge ball matches."

    "Huh?" They said.

    "Ah, those really bring back memories," he said, smiling, not seeing the looks of his companions' faces.

    When their practice ended, you called them over for dinner. They joined your family at the dining room where the food was ready.

    "You guys are the last to eat dinner so I hope you don't mind eating with us tonight," your grandmother said.

    "It would be a pleasure," Takeda-sensei said.

    Everyone took their place around the long table. Your grandfather took the head of the table. Your grandmother sat by his right while you took the left. Tanaka took a seat by your grandmother and Yachi sat down beside you.

    "Thank you for the food!"

    "Eat well," your grandfather said.

    "Osu!"

    While Kageyama and Hinata were having some kind of contest on who ate more and who ate the fastest, your grandmother started a conversation.

    "This brings back so many memories," she said. "Back when (F/n) was still in middle school, she'd bring her friends along and then they'd play dodge ball at the court. They'd eat dinner here like what we're doing right now."

    "Your cooking's still as good as it was before," Tanaka complimented.

    "And you still make those intimidating expressions I see," your grandfather cut in, chuckling a bit.

    "About those dodge ball games, it was a battle between who and who?" Nishinoya piped up excitedly.

    "My team versus Tanaka's team," you answered. "We played from time to time and the total wins was 5-2. Though I don't regret losing that one time we lost because I got to throw a ball at his face."

    Sugawara and Asahi smiled weakly at hearing that but Nishinoya laughed as he continued to tease Tanaka.

    “Really?” the libero laughed. “How many times has he been hit already?

    "Three,” you answered.

    "Three times to the head?" The others thought. "Although Hinata received more balls to his face."

    "No, four times," Tanaka said. "And don't aim balls at peoples' faces."

    "No, three," you argued.

    "No, four."

    "Did you dream about that imaginary fourth hit because I clearly remember hitting you in the face only three times. The first time was during P.E."

    "The second time was during the time you lost the dodge ball match."

    "The third being the day I first entered Karasuno. See? Three times."

    Tanaka looked at you seriously. "That wasn't the third time. The third was that time when the news about you repeating the last year of middle school spread through the classroom."

    You looked up at the ceiling in thought. "I don't really remember," you finally said.

    "Really?" He said.

    You looked at him curiously. "Are you sure that you didn't dream it?"

    Tanaka looked at you seriously as the surrounding people watched the two of you in silence and while the remainder of the volleyball players made noise. "If you say so," he said, going back to eating. The others relaxed and you sighed inaudibly.

    After the meal, you gathered up the plates with the help from the volleyball club managers while the members prepared their beddings or took a bath.

    You were already striking a conversation with Yachi in your room by the time the first years had their turn. Tanaka lingered outside by the indoor court when he had finished with his bath.

    Your grandfather suddenly walked up to him with a volleyball ball in hand. "How about having a little rally?"

    Tanaka smiled. "Sure."

    They kept the ball up in the air. They didn't spike it or anything but simply kept the ball bouncing from one to the other.

    "Ne, Tanaka-kun," your grandfather spoke up.

    "Hai?"

    "You still remember the last time you came here right?"

    The young boy’s eyes narrowed as he returned the ball.

    "Do you remember what you said back then? I wonder if you're still willing," your grandfather said, returning the ball back to Tanaka. The latter, instead of returning it, caught it in his hands. A few seconds passed before he was able to speak up.

    "Even if she gives up on me, I won't give up on her," Tanaka says. "Even if she keeps dodging me, I won't stop trying to catch her."

    Your grandfather smiled. "Good to hear that again. My granddaughter's strong but her heart's still fragile. Whatever happened between the both of you two years ago must have left a mark so it'd be good to patch it up immediately before it totally cracks."

    Tanaka grinned nervously. "I'm not sure how I'm going to do that yet." He could remember it like it was yesterday. When (F/n) had told him that she was going to repeat the year, what he did and didn’t do, and how she ran away from him. He clearly remembered it all.

    "You'll find it soon but be careful; she might be taken by someone else."

    "I'll beat up whoever that is," Tanaka immediately replied, the intimidating expression back on.

    Your grandfather laughed.